IMPORTANCE: In the literature, patients with bullous pemphigoid have been reported to have itch without blisters. Clinical observations in these patients have varied from eczematous or urticarial to papular or nodular skin lesions. Here we investigated the spectrum of clinical variants. OBSERVATIONS: Fifteen patients with itch without blisters had immunopathologic findings of bullous pemphigoid. Mean age at diagnosis was 81.7 years. No blistering occurred during the mean 2...

AIM: With the progressive aging of the Italian population, geriatric health care has become a major issue for health authorities. However, little data is available regarding geriatric skin diseases. In order to provide rapid access to specialist help, in 2003 we created a dermatology clinic dedicated only to geriatric patients age 65 and older. METHODS: To determine the characteristic pattern and the prevalence of various skin disorders among the geriatric patients seen at the clinic, we performed a retrospective and descriptive study of all skin diseases in patients seen in our office from January 2003 to December 2009...

Pruritus can be divided into several categories: pruritoceptive, neurogenic, neuropathic, and psychogenic. Neuropathic itch is caused by lesions of afferent neural pathways. Psychogenic itch is secondary to primary psychiatric disorders. Both of these types of pruritus present with no evidence of primary cutaneous lesions. The presentation of both conditions can be confusing and patients with no primary cutaneous lesions can be prematurely diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder. Treatment of neuropathic and psychogenic pruritus can be divided into pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies...

Perceived stress has long been allied with disturbances of the dynamic equilibrium established between the nervous, endocrine and immune systems, thus triggering or aggravating disease manifestation. Several common skin diseases are now acknowledged to be worsened by psychological stress, particularly immunodermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, seborrheic eczema, prurigo nodularis, lichen planus, chronic urticaria, alopecia areata and pruritus sine materia. Itch (pruritus) is perhaps the most common symptom associated with a majority of these inflammatory skin diseases, and acute as well as chronic stress perceptions are recognized to trigger or enhance pruritus...

Functional itch disorder or psychogenic pruritus is a poorly defined diagnosis. This paper sets out the proposed diagnostic criteria of the French Psychodermatology Group (FPDG). There are three compulsory criteria: localized or generalized pruritus sine materia, chronic pruritus (>6 weeks) and the absence of a somatic cause. Three additional criteria from the following seven items should also be present: a chronological relationship of pruritus with one or several life events that could have psychological repercussions; variations in intensity associated with stress; nocturnal variations; predominance during rest or inaction; associated psychological disorders; pruritus that could be improved by psychotropic drugs; and pruritus that could be improved by psychotherapies...

Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is widely used for fluid management in broad populations of patients, particularly in the surgery and intensive care settings. Pruritus, often manifested as pruritic crises, is increasingly being recognized as a common major adverse effect of HES administration. This iatrogenic form of pruritus is frequently severe and protracted with a serious negative impact on patient quality of life, including sleep disturbance, disruption of daily routine and mental distress. Such pruritus is generally refractory to available therapies and can persist for up to 12-24 months...

PURPOSE: To describe the nature and the frequency of systemic diseases responsible for the pruritus sine materia. Value of this sign as a marker of malignancy. METHODS: Prospective study undertaken over five years (1996-2001). INCLUSION CRITERIA: generalized aspect of the pruritus and absence of specific primitive cutaneous lesions of an itching dermatosis. Parameters taken from the data of the anamnesis and the physical examination. Standard biologic and morphologic investigations were done...

Small animal practitioners are increasingly confronted with patients showing adaptation related problems (ARP) which are expressed as disturbed or abnormal behavior (DAB). As a result, practitioners are asked increasingly to euthanize animals which seemingly cannot be socialized. In healthy dogs and cats, three main causes for DAB can be detected: refusal of obedience because of the drive for dominance; anxiety and frustration; and geriatric DAB. Increasingly, disease conditions not readily diagnosed can cause DAB, especially hypothyroidism...

In an epidemiological study of occupational dermatitis in 5 different shoe factories, 246 workers were interviewed, examined and patch tested using standard and occupational patch test series. The prevalence of occupational contact dermatitis was 14.6% (36/246): 8.1% (20/246) irritant contact dermatitis (OICD) and 6.5% (16/246) allergic contact dermatitis (OACD). Among the latter, the most common occupational allergens were p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin and mercaptobenzothiazole. 6% (15/246) presented with hyperkeratosis of the fingertips, while 3...

A case of circumscribed pruritus existing since 1 year on clinically uninvolved skin is reported, in which careful history revealed a 5-year previous episode of herpes zoster in the same dermatome. Impairment of cutaneous sensitivity was evaluated by use of a quantitative psychophysical examination and laser-evoked cortical potentials (LEP).

The aim of this study was to approach on a psychical point of view 27 patients suffering from chronic idiopathic urticaria (14), pruritus sine materia (6), alopecia areata (3), pathomimia (4), in order to examine the possibility that psychic disorders could act as triggering or aggravating the dermatological affection. Psychical assessment was evaluated by colloquy and by the administration of some psychodiagnostic tests: EPI, MMPI, Zung. The role of psychogenic factors in skin diseases is emphasized and the results obtained from the use of antidepressant and minor tranquilizer drugs are discussed...